Here's how you can navigate the transition from a technical role to a consulting role with key skills.

Making the leap from a technical role to a consulting one requires a unique blend of technical expertise and interpersonal skills. Understand the key essential skills for consulting: Problem-solving: The ability to identify, analyze, and solve complex problems is crucial in consulting. Communication: Effective communication, both verbal and written, is essential for building relationships with client. Adaptability: Consulting often involves working on diverse projects and dealing with unexpected challenges. Relationship building: Strong interpersonal skills are essential for building trust and rapport with clients Presentation skills: The ability to clearly and confidently present complex information to a variety of audiences

Transitioning from a technical role to consulting involves leveraging technical expertise while developing strong client-facing and business skills. Emphasize the ability to solve complex problems and translate technical insights into strategic business solutions. Improve communication skills to effectively engage with clients and manage stakeholder expectations. Gain business acumen by learning about financials, KPIs, and operations. Practice case studies to sharpen problem-solving skills in a business context. Finally, network within consulting circles to build relationships, understand industry expectations, and tailor the resume to reflect broader impact.

Embracing a constant learning mentality is required when transitioning from a technical career to consultancy. Consulting requires a broad knowledge base, ranging from finance to marketing, therefore it's critical to broaden your horizons beyond your technical skills. Use your analytical talents to swiftly learn new business functions, and seek mentoring or courses to fill knowledge gaps. This versatility will allow you to excel in advising while remaining grounded in your technical strengths.

Transitioning from a technical role to consulting requires honing key skills like problem-solving, effective communication, and strategic thinking. By leveraging your technical expertise and building strong client relationships, you can bridge the gap and offer valuable insights that drive business success.

Transitioning from a technical role to consulting, I bring a blend of deep technical expertise and strategic insight to drive business transformation. By combining problem-solving skills with a focus on client needs and industry trends, I help organizations align technology solutions with their broader goals, ensuring impactful and sustainable results.

Making the leap from a technical role to consulting is like going from coding in your comfy sweats to negotiating with clients in a sharp suit—but with the right soft skills, you’ll crush it. Sure, knowing your tech is important, but consulting is all about *people* skills. So, get comfy asking for feedback from your peers and leaders (yes, even if it feels like getting a performance review from your grandma). But don’t stop there—practice those soft skills regularly. It’s like hitting the gym, but for your ability to read a room, build relationships, and convince clients you’ve got the answers. Keep at it, and soon enough, you'll be flexing those consulting muscles with confidence!

We always selling ourselves, in some way or another. Reflect on what you did well in your interactions before and how to translate that into your new role. Also challenge yourselves, by joining activities that help you to improve soft skills. Like joning a club or hobby what you need to do with others.

Embracing continuous learning and self-improvement in these areas will not only boost your consulting capabilities but also enrich your professional growth and client interactions.

Build meaningful connections. Remember that people buy from people and not from companies. Avoid standardizes approach and individualize messages to the people you are trying to reach. By yourself on events, some have it easy to approach people others need strength for it. If you having a hard time doing it, than you might prepare for your potential contacts a strategy beforehand. What's a casual opening, etc. Like: "That was a good "presentation, what's your take away from it" or "Nice to meet you, I am so and so, the traffic was crazy getting here... What brings you here?"

Building a strong network is crucial when transitioning from a technical role to consulting. Engage with industry professionals, attend relevant events, and seek mentorship from experienced consultants. A solid network not only opens doors to new opportunities but also provides valuable insights and guidance to help you succeed in your new consulting career.

The essential Questions to ask, WHATS IN IT FOR ME? or essentially for your client. Do you know your Unique selling points of the Business or Product? Why should they buy from you? Have a pitch ready that pitches you in relation to the Service or Product. In personal conversations the main reason people buy from you is because they like you and think you are competent.

As for me, I see networking with industry experts and participating in relevant workshops as one of the means to further enhance business insights.

3 keys to consider, the last one is the most important: 1) Learn top-down critical thinking 2) Learn how to communicate your insights and recommendations 3) Learn to measure the impact of the implementation on the bottom line On a technical role, one develops a bottom-up critical thinking as the priority is the output quality of key processes that consequentially impact profitability. In other words, the focus is on the HOW. On a consulting role on the other hand, one must develop a top-down critical thinking as the priority is the levers that must be pulled to scale the company. In other words, the focus is on the WHAT. You become a successful consultant when you can show how your work improves profitability while avoiding hassle.